Dry pub opens in Norwich

The community-backed ‘Drub’ at the Open cafe, in Castle Meadow, opened on Thursday.

Conceived by recovery activists at a brainstorming event hosted by the Norfolk DAAT (Drug and Alcohol Action Team) and UK Recovery Federation in April 2013, the dry pub night is being backed with funding from the Norfolk Community Foundation.

The Drub at Open cafe will be staged from 7pm to 10pm, on April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, and August 7.

Steph Butcher, strategy manager of Norfolk DAAT, which is part of Norfolk County Council’s Public Health Team, said: “Projects like the Drub will help to minimise the harm caused by drugs and alcohol and offer people an opportunity to continue their recovery within their local community.”

Fiona Wright, recovery and engagement coordinator with the Norfolk DAAT, added: “This is a fantastic project which will offer people in [alcohol] recovery a much needed opportunity to socialise and meet like-minded people. By taking alcohol and drugs out of the mix the temptation to relapse is removed, allowing people to relax and enjoy their evening.

“The project has been developed and run entirely by volunteers from the local community and the focus is on offering a safe and entertaining environment rather than delivering the commercial model that we see elsewhere.”